Deevey, 1978a
Diagnosis
Dorsal hinge region straight, posterior margin curved. The ventral margin concave, so carapace deeper anteriorly than posteriorly (A. bispicula Habitus 1, A. bispicula Habitus 2, A. bispicula 1, A. bispicula 2). The rostrum small and, in ventral aspect, hidden by the swollen anterior margin of the carapace. The carapace glands open more or less symmetrically on the posterior margin just below where it recurves anteriorly. The frontal organ extends just beyond the end of first antennae; it carries two small spines on its rounded tip (A. bispicula 1, A. bispicula 3). Dorsal seta on second segment of first antenna long and densely spinous towards end (A. bispicula 1, A. bispicula 3).
Remarks
Since Deevey, 1978a unravelled the large number of species previously lumped under A. ventricosa (Archiconchoecia ventricosa), there have been few studies in which this, and other, species have been distinguished. None of the species in the complex has been observed to be abundant.
Distribution
Only known from 17°-53°N in the North Atlantic. A rare benthopelagic/deep mesopelagic species usually taken at 800-1500m. depth 1, 2 (R.R.S. Discovery Map).
Type specimen
Holotype, a female dissected on slide. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (NMNH 171285).
Type locality
17°18'N, 85°27'W in western Caribbean. Pillsbury cruise 6803, Station 18; date, 22 April 1968; depth, 2000-Om; vertical haul.